Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-07-16
Fort Smelling.

A life in the post is said to be a lonely
one, but those who had the pleasure Of
meeting the group from st. Paul Friday
afternoon, the 9th, are bound to ac-
knowledge that on the above date that
our military home appeared more at
tractive, and our surroundings more
cheerful than any of the mansions on
the thoroughfares of the city from
whence our cheerful party came. The
visitors were Mr.. and Mrs. 7. Fl. Lyles,
and Mrs. I. and Miss Rosa Hill, of st.
Paul ;and Miss Bertha Grant, of Chicago
At 6:I5 p. M, sentinel No. spied the
party on the bridge, and announced the
same to messenger George H. Woodson
who stood close by waiting to receive
them; and after bidding them hearty
welcome in the name of his regiment,
he directed them to point where they
could witness battalion drill, on the
parade ground, they were escorted to
Sergt. ]. D. Cooper's quarters, and were
welcomed by the Sergt. and his gener-
GUS wife. Introductions and exchange
of greetings were soon finished and the
visitors reviewed the interior Of the
soldiers barracks having Woodson to
pilot them through company T.,
and Sergt Cooper through company B.
the arms and equipments were laid open
for the inspection of Mr.. Lyles and the
ladies, everything was reviewed with
interest, but the two young ladies de
cided that the mode of cooking and eat
ing while on, the field was Every rude
Indeed" About this time drill was
over, retreat was sounded, and the
companies were marching to their re-
spective quarters. The visitors stood
near the commanding officers office,
where they could have full view of the
troops as they passed. But the color
guard, commanded by Sergt Bendle-
ton, put the ladies to giddy flight by a
sudden bait and rafting present
arms in honor of the national flag.
Everything seemed to be at close now
and the shades of evening were again
merging Smelling into it's usual quietude
when the silence was broken by the
band opening the musical concert. Our
city friends were now seated in front OIL
Sergt. Cooper's door, and the group
was soon afterwards enlarged by first
Lieuts. A. J. Smith, company B; A. W.
Ray, company I: sergt. T. Kellum
company I. Company C was we'll rep.
resented by Mr.. J. Bogie. The concert
being over, refreshments were served
at SIS, and while we were in doing jus.
tice to Mrs. Coopers we'll prepared re.
past, the clouds grew more dark and
looked more threatening and the rain
fell in torrents. This prevented the
drive to Minnehaha Falls, but other.
wise no one seemed to care for rain
Sergt. Kellum offered rubber coats tc
the party, but the elements had be-
come calm, and they did not feel the
need of more than their own. It was
near roll cal, and the buggies were soon
in waiting after the cheerful party had
bid adieu to Mr.. and Mrs. Cooper and
other friends, Messenger Woodson as.
sisted Miss Grant to his buggy, lead the
way to headquarters, and from there tc
Mr.. Hills residence in st. Paul. BY IL
O'Clock most of the boys Of the army
were again with the party in dreamland
and Kellum declares that one of the
sweetest slumbers Of his whole life was
broken by Woodson, who came stalk
ing into the quarters from his drive tc
st. Paul, about II o'clock falling over
chairs and on Sergt. Kellum's bed try.
ing to find his own couch.